Foot and Heel Pain
One of the most common complaints is foot and heel pain. Pain in the heel can be caused due to various reasons. Before providing treatment for the symptoms, it is imperative to first make an accurate diagnosis with the help of a doctor.
Some of the most common causes of heel pain include:
- Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common conditions characterized by heel pain. This condition occurs due to inflammation and irritation of the tissue under the foot arch. When you stand or walk for a long duration of time, you experience severe pain in the heel.
- Heel spur is a condition that arises due to a long period of suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. Fascia is a condition characterized by symptoms of severe heel pain.
- Another reason for onset of heel pain could be stress fracture of the calcareous. Heel pain in long distance runners and other athletes could be due to stress fracture.
- Foot and heel pain can also result when the large nerve on the back of the foot is pinched or entrapped due to Tarsal Tunnel syndrome which is identical to the carpal tunnel syndrome that affect the hands.
- If you suffer from pain in the posterior heel, you may feel the symptoms more behind your foot rather than underneath. Some of the most common causes of posterior heel pain include arthritis, Retrocalceneal bursitis and Achilles tendonitis.
Many of us tend to neglect heel pain until the condition becomes unbearable. It is important to know when you need to call your doctor and start treatment, especially if you are unable to identify the cause for your symptoms.
Some of the signs doctors will look for include:
- Heel pain that continues for more than three to four days
- Heel pain that occurs even while you rest or sleep at night
- Foot pain that makes it difficult for you to walk on the affected side
- Any sign of warmth, redness or fever
- Discoloration or swelling of the foot at the back
- Other symptoms that is unusual
Cause of the heel pain is taken into account before creating an effective treatment plan. Depending on the cause and extent of pain, doctors may prescribe a few treatment programs.
Foot and Heel Pain Treatment
- Applying ice packs on the affected area
- Providing enough rest for your foot and wearing comfortable shoes with the right inserts while walking
- Doing regular stretches and exercises
- Taking anti-inflammatory medicines
Foot and heel pain is thus a common condition that can be effectively treated and cured with the right medical advice and treatment program. It is important to get proper heel spur treatment as this will go a long way in making you life more comfortable with this painful problem.